There is a smoking ban in all NI government departments

The Department of Health in London is poised to reconsider its plan for a partial ban.

This would have exempted premises not serving food.

It is believed the switch of policy in England will make it more likely NIO Health Minister Shaun Woodward will opt for a total smoking ban.

Over the summer, Mr Woodward revealed the results of a public consultation on smoking which was 91% in favour of a total ban.

Mr Woodward has recently visited New York and Dublin to assess how both cities have administered their smoking bans.

A smoking ban in all Northern Ireland government departments came into effect in January.

The ban sees smoking facilities removed and staff forbidden to light up on site. Prisons are exempt from the ban.

Many in Northern Ireland, particularly doctors and politicians, have called for a universal ban.

Since March 2004, smoking has been illegal in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.

It was the first country in the world to introduce such a nationwide ban.